My husband doesn't normally work on Saturdays but today he is covering for one of his guys at the shop. He left early this morning with his road bike loaded on the roof of our car so he could ride Geiger Grade before clocking in.
I decided to ride to south Reno to meet him for pastries and coffee. If I hadn't made that decision, I'd probably have streamed the Tour de France from the laptop to the t.v., brewed some coffee and loafed around the house all day. So I was glad I left home to enjoy the gorgeous morning weather and fresh air!

I should have ridden my road bike (which is collecting dust in the garage) but I really didn't feel like being in all those layers with a sport bra underneath my bibs and a jersey on top--especially with the weather being so humid and warming up later into the day. THEN I would have to wear cycling shoes designed to clip into my bike pedals. There are functional and performance reasons for wearing cycling specific gear but I wasn't going on a training ride today. I would also have the challenge of carrying my stuff such as a bike lock, bungee cords, my paper notebook and iPad Mini in case I decided to stop somewhere to run errands or grab a snack and respond to e-mails at a coffee bar.
In this case, it was much easier to throw on a sleeveless, carefree dress and slip on comfortable sandals that I could walk in! I put all the things I may need for the day in my pannier bags and rolled out the door!
When I got to Sparks Boulevard I saw with my very own eyes what a FABULOUS job the folks at the RTC (Regional Transportation Commission) did with making the roadways pedestrian and bicycle friendly. And YES, the bicycle path at Greg Street and Sparks Boulevard is open and beautifully landscaped!! So for the folks in Reno who want to bike to Sparks for a day of shopping, dining and/or the movies -- they can easily do so and have a scenic and safe route!!
A PLAN BICYCLING-FOOD-SHOPPING FAMILY ACTIVITY AT THE SPARKS LEGENDS OUTLET
So here is the plan for a day of bicycling, eating and shopping for you!! This is just what I recommend (you do at your own risk and I assume no liability for any injuries as a result for taking my recommendations here. I rode this route today and made it all the way home safely without a hitch.)
You will have to forgive all my comments about crossing the crosswalk defensively. I don't mean to preach if you are already a safe bicyclist. I just don't want anyone to get hurt.
Load up your helmet(s) and bike(s) in the car and pack the things you think you may need for your day including:
- Bike lock(s)
- Water (iced or no ice)
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Snacks (portable ones like Nature's Bakery Fig Bars or fresh fruit that carry well)
- Bag (I have panniers which are bags that hang off the rear rack of my bike to avoid carrying the weight on my back but you can use a backpack, messenger back, bike trailer or whatever you have to carry your stuff)
- Lights (front and rear are not necessary but I always have them on my bike and I always turn them on.
- Cell phone/I.D. (I always have my emergency contact information on me)
- Towel and/or wet wipes if you tend to sweat, especially if the weather forecast calls for increasingly warmer temperatures throughout the day
1. Drive out and park at the
Sparks Legends Outlet (enter at the traffic light signal on E. Lincoln Way from Sparks Boulevard exit). This dirt lot is now paved. I wouldn't park much deeper into the outlet grounds because the roundabouts can be tricky to navigate on a bicycle, especially when traffic starts to pick up.
2. Proceed along the sidewalk (as indicated in the photo above) and head south on Sparks Boulevard. Don't worry, the sidewalk is super wide with enough space for people walking on foot and people riding bicycles